ISSUE 3 DEC. 2019
COMOX VALLEY WATER TREATMENT PROJECT UPDATE
Construction Officially Kicks off with Celebration at Comox Lake
Partnership with Courtenay Fish and Game Association Key to Project Success
To celebrate the start of construction and project milestones achieved to date, an event was held on Oct. 30 at the site of the future raw water pump station beside Comox Lake. At the event, Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) CAO Russell Dyson addressed a crowd of approx. 65 project partners, stakeholders, staff and contractors. The celebration opened with a ceremonial dance and remarks from Chief Nicole Rempel of the K’omoks First Nation and David Frisch, Chair of the CVRD’s Water Committee. The event demonstrated appreciation for all who’ve played an important role on the project so far, and recognized contributions from the provincial and federal governments, who’ve made this project possible with $58.5 million in funding. With the $126 million dollar project underway, construction is expected to be complete in Spring 2021 (see pg. 2 for detailed timeline). A public open house is planned in 2020 to update community members on design plans and answer questions about the work to come.
Chair Frisch, Chief Rempel and Mayor Bob Wells
K’ómoks First Nation ceremonial dance
CVRD staff with Fish and Game representatives at the event on Oct. 30.
The Courtenay and District Fish & Game Protective Association has been a long-term partner on the Comox Valley Water Treatment Project, and has helped make this project possible in a number of ways, including: • hosting CVRD water testing equipment on its property for over eight years (so staff could develop specifications for the new water treatment plant) • transferring a key piece of land and statutory rights-of-way to the CVRD for building of key infrastructure (raw water pump station, marine pipeline and raw water pipeline) In exchange for the land transfer, the CVRD will provide raw water for the Fish & Game Association’s hatchery project, which is planned to produce 100,000 Coho for the Trent and Puntledge Rivers. “This new water system is the regional district’s largest infrastructure project to date. And it has been made possible by the vision, commitment and sheer tenacity of our staff, our partners and stakeholders, the province and the federal government, and the directors on the water committee.” — David Frisch, Chair of the Comox Valley Water Committee
Construction in Penstock Corridor Through the winter months, residents will start to see tree clearing in the penstock corridor, to make way for a new treated water transmission main. During this construction period, some sections along the penstock corridor, including adjacent trail systems, will be temporarily closed off to public access. If you’re in the area, please watch for closure signage and avoid active construction zones to keep everyone safe. The new pipeline will move water from the new treatment plant to the existing transmission system, making the community’s drinking water independent of BC Hydro infrastructure.
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New Project Video
Looking for more details on construction of the new water system? Watch the latest project video at: bit.ly/water-update
What’s Next? Wondering about construction/prep activities to come between now and Feb. 2020?
From left to right: Drew Reicheld (Const. Manager, Civil), Kevin Loy (Const. Manager, M&E), Ian Vibe (Superintendent, Mechanical), Tom Howie (Const. Manager, Pipeline) Amy Estabrooks (Recruitment Coordinator)
AECON Hiring Fair Well Attended On Nov. 27, AECON, the design-build contractor for the project, hosted a hiring fair as they prepare to ramp up construction. At the event, the project team met with over 100 local contractors, including pipefitters, labourers, carpenters, electricians, welders, scaffolders and operators.
Construction Phase Timeline
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Construction kick-off ceremony with K’ómoks First Nation
2020
Construction complete on water pipelines
Fall 2020
Construction complete at Comox Lake (pump station and marine intake)
Spring 2021
Construction complete at Water Treatment Plant
Here’s what’s up next:
d Mobilization of construction equipment and crews d Tree clearing at pump station, treatment plant and water transmission main areas
d Bulk excavation at treatment plant site d Road construction at both sites d Hydro installation at both sites d Purchasing transmission main piping and long lead
Summer 2021
Commissioning complete
time items
d Hiring and safety training
Fall 2021
Grand opening with K’ómoks First Nation
For more information Website: comoxvalleyrd.ca/watertreatment E engineeringservices@comoxvalleyrd.ca | T 250-334-6000
comoxvalleyrd.ca
